Chat-bout.net - Blake to headline Glasgow Grand Prix

Blake to headline Glasgow Grand Prix

Jamaican sprint star Yohan Blake will headline the Glasgow Grand Prix, the ninth meet of the prestigious IAAF Diamond League at Hampden Park, organisers confirmed yesterday

The 24-year-old is the second fastest man of all time over the 100 and 200 metres and will assume the marquee billing at the July 11-12 event, which will be without World and Olympic champion Usain Bolt.

Veteran St Kitts and Nevis sprinter Kim Collins, in the twilight of his career, will line up alongside Blake, with Britain's Adam Gemili and World indoor 60m champion Richard Kilty, also set to challenge over the 100m.

"The UK gave the Jamaicans a big welcome for the Olympic Games and I know the British public will put on another great show in July," said Blake.

"The competition in the Diamond League rivals the competition you get at major championships and it's that challenge that motivates me."

Blake was twice runner-up to Bolt at the London 2012 Olympics to claim silver in the sprints, but managed to grab gold in the sprint relay.

He has been beset by injury, which hammered his season last year, but says he is anxious to make his comeback.

"I'm really excited to be coming back to the UK this summer. After such a strong 2012 season, it was disappointing not to be able to continue that form into 2013 due to injury," he noted.

"However, I'm looking to use the Sainsbury's Glasgow Grand Prix to show the world I'm back and ready to light up the track once again."

Collins, meanwhile, is eagerly looking forward to the Glasgow outing. At 38, he is one of the oldest athletes on the international circuit, but is keen to show that he has something left.

"The competition in the 100m never gets any easier and the talent not only on the international scene but in the UK is getting stronger and stronger," Collins said.

"To be able to compete at the Sainsbury's Glasgow Grand Prix against the likes of Blake, Kilty and Gemili is something I will relish and I'll do everything in my power to show that I'm still a main contender."

The cash-rich Diamond League series opens on May 9 with the Qatar Super Grand Prix, which will feature Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the reigning World and Olympic 100m champion.

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